Who was Ashok Kumar? He was a Hindi film actor, born in Bhagalpur in 1911. His career lasted six decades. His 1943 film Kismet made him a star. It also gave Indian cinema its first big anti-hero. He is still called Dadamoni, the elder brother of the screen.
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Who was Ashok Kumar?
His birth name was Kumudlal Ganguly. He was born on 13 October 1911 in Bhagalpur, Bihar. He grew up in Khandwa. He died in Mumbai on 10 December 2001, aged 90.
Who were his brothers?
He was the eldest of three famous brothers. Anoop Kumar was an actor. Kishore Kumar became a famous actor and singer.
What is the memory hook?
Born Bhagalpur 1911; died Mumbai 2001.
Sources: Cinemaazi, the biography; Upperstall, his profile.
How did he start?
He went to Calcutta to study law. He did not plan to act. Instead he joined Bombay Talkies, a film studio in Mumbai. He worked behind the camera at first.
How did he become a hero?
The studio made him its leading man. His first film was Jeevan Naiya in 1936. His heroine was Devika Rani. His next film with her, Achhut Kanya (1936), made him well known.
What is the memory hook?
Law student, camera helper, then hero in 1936.
Sources: Upperstall, from laboratory to lead; Cinemaazi, the early years.
Why was Kismet special?
In his early films he played a clean-cut romantic hero. Kismet (1943) changed that. He played a thief with a good heart. He smoked a cigarette on screen, which was new for a hero.
How well did it do?
It ran for over three years in a Calcutta theatre. Its record was broken only by Sholay in 1975. Critics call it the first anti-hero film of Indian cinema.
What is the memory hook?
Kismet, 1943: the thief with a heart.
Sources: Upperstall, the three-year run; Cinemaazi, the Sholay record.
What was Filmistan?
In 1943 he left Bombay Talkies. He joined Shashadhar Mukherji, Gyan Mukherjee and Rai Bahadur Chunilal. Together they set up a rival company, Filmistan.
What happened to Bombay Talkies?
He later came back as its production chief. There he starred in Mahal (1949), one of its biggest hits. But the old studio was already fading.
What is the memory hook?
Left in 1943 for Filmistan; back for Mahal.
Sources: Cinemaazi, leaving Bombay Talkies; Upperstall, the return and Mahal.
How did his roles change?
In the 1950s he played urban crime heroes. Sangram (1950) and Inspector (1956) are examples. In 1963 came Bandini, where he matched Nutan scene for scene.
What did he play later?
He moved to character roles. A character role is a strong supporting part, often an older person. He played the villain in Jewel Thief (1967). He played kind elders in Aashirwad (1968) and Mili (1975).
What did he do on television?
In the 1980s he worked less in films. On TV he hosted the soap Hum Log. He also played the title role in Bahadur Shah Zafar.
What is the memory hook?
Hero, then anti-hero, then wise elder.
Sources: Cinemaazi, his later films; Upperstall, character roles and TV.
Which honours came his way?
He won the Dadasaheb Phalke Award. This is India’s top award for lifetime work in cinema. He also received the Padma Shri and the Padma Bhushan.
What else was he known for?
His daughters Bharati and Preeti worked as actresses. His son-in-law, the comedian Deven Verma, was also an actor.
What is the memory hook?
Phalke Award, Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan.
Sources: Cinemaazi, awards and honours; Upperstall, the Phalke Award.
What do exams ask?
Exams ask which film made him a star. They also ask about his studios and his awards.
What are the common questions?
Which 1943 film made him India’s first big star? Kismet. Which studio did he join first? Bombay Talkies. Which company did he help found in 1943? Filmistan.
What traps do exams set?
Do not mix up Jeevan Naiya and Kismet. The first was his debut in 1936. The second made him a star in 1943. Also, Kishore Kumar was his younger brother.
What is the memory hook?
Debut 1936; star 1943; Filmistan 1943.
Sources: Upperstall, his career; Cinemaazi, the filmography.
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